Parents' Guide to Empire Records

Parents need to know that Empire Records is a cult 90s coming-of-age comedy-drama that contains some drug and sex references, and occasional strong language. The story centers around a group of friends and co-workers -- including Anthony LaPaglia, Renée Zellweger, and Liv Tyler -- who band together to try and stop the independent record store where they work being sold to a chain. The movie places characterization over plot, so much of it is concerned with the young staff's interactions with one another. They are shown as loving and being dedicated to their jobs, and also caring about their colleagues' well-being, despite a few arguments and minor physical altercations. There is discussion about mental health issues such as self-harming. A character is revealed to have an addition to amphetamines. Another takes a pot brownie and begins to hallucinate, but this is played for laughs. Some supporting characters are shown to be arrogant, rude, and greedy, but this is portrayed in a negative light. Violence features on a couple of occasions but is very mild and either reconciled quickly or played for comic effect. Likewise, sex features but is also nearly always played for comedic effect. One female character is upset when her romantic overtures are met with a crude response. Swearing is mostly mild and infrequent, with only one use of "f---ing." Consumerism features because of the record-store setting, but none of the characters are materialistic. Gambling in a casino takes place, but not for personal profit.

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